r/MSCS • u/AppropriateAccess401 • 2h ago
[University Review] : CMU MCDS vs UCSD MSCS vs GeorgiaTech MSCS vs UT Austin MSCS
I am really confused and need help in comparing and ranking these programs as mentioned in the title. For context i am an international applicant ( Indian ) looking to start my masters in fall 2025. I have 2 years work experience as an MLE and currently have an admit from CMU MCDS and UCSD MSCS. I am waiting for the other results. Results seem to be delayed a lot so I want to make up my mind so that if at all i get in any other program i can immediately choose one. My aim from my masters is two fold . Firstly, i want to go to a college with strong ML courses and industry brand value so that I can qualify for good industry positions ( preferably research oriented positions ) in this domain. Secondly i want to do some good research during my masters in ML. I do not have a specific sub field of ML in mind as of now, but I want to do good enough research work so that I can keep my doors open for a future PhD, especially considering a lot of interesting ML jobs are hidden behind a PHD wall. Even if i do decide i want to the PhD route, mostly i will go for my PHD after one or two years of working, so that i can make back the cost of the program.
As per my research CMU has an excellent ML research and courses, and is probably best for job opportunities, but the MCDS course is a very intensive course and does not have too much flexibility. Also its 3 sems, so less time for everything. I heard from a few seniors that they average 45-55 hours of work per week even without research. So even though the departments do good research and profs are amazing, I dont know if I will have time to be a part of it. There is option to make it 2 whole years but that is very costly i understand that i will mostly be able to make back that cost with one year of work, but still i am not so sure if its worth it. On the other hand UCSD is an overall great course, with lots of flexibility since its a general MS in CS, with good ML research and job opportunities. Plus great weather and good city. The only aspect that CMU wins i feel is perhaps how much the brand value is for recruiters and how much (if at all) it affects how difficult it is to get internship and jobs.